Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Warm and Fuzzy

[Chip]

What does Life taste like?

And if I were to bake a cake that would describe life—how would it taste?

But if the beautiful sweetness

In life were bitter strife,

Together with salty tears;

Sour envy;

Spicy anger—

Life tastes horrible, really.

No one would like a cake that's bitter, sweet, salty, sour, spicy—all at the same time.

The only reason you would force it down your throat;

Was probably because the person who baked it—is someone you love.

.

If you've ever eaten whipped cream directly out of the spoon; you'd know that it tastes sweet, fluffy—melts in your mouth and gives you the warmest, fuzziest feeling ever.

The heart does this flip, skips a beat when the sweet aftertaste of cream seeps into its core;

Then you can't wait to do it again.

I thought that it was the best feeling in the world—but I was wrong.

There was something warmer; something sweeter; something that doesn't just melt in your mouth but melts every part of you away.

So if you feel like that—

Like you've turned into nothing but everything at the same time—then maybe, just maybe;

You're in love.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Xander's hand played with mine gently, encircling the back of my palm and then running down my fingers to the nails—as if he wanted to ensure that he remembered what they felt like.

The heat stayed on my cheeks throughout our entire journey back to the beach's party area; and for some reason, I never really noticed the chill of the night breeze settling from the sea. Not it's piercing touch on the surface of my skin; or its sweeping tug at my hair and clothes.

And it was strange how I never really did notice anything else either—

Not the fact that we had spent almost an hour staring at the sunset across the shore; and certainly not the fact that I was leaning, slightly, on his shoulder.

It was only until Xander's phone rang sharply, breaking a strangely serene silence of tranquil waves and soft orange light; when something simple registered in my mind:

Strange; how Time blossoms into eternity

When it comes to—

.

"Damn."

The phone call appeared to demand Xander to get back to the beach party, despite his various curses and lazy protests. His tall frame slouched a little as he walked me (albeit reluctantly) to the outdoor party—the blasting house music getting louder and louder and we neared the floor.

"If you're not good with parties, we could always call it a day," Xander leaned down to speak beside my ear, competing with the surrounding noise.

I shook my head, gently pushing him away quickly before anyone else sees us and gets suspicious about Xander. "Oh n-no! It's fine, really. Please enjoy yourself—ah, but please be sure to take care of your hand...don't um, do anything reckless, alright?"

He raised an amused brow, laughing lowly. "Right. Got it—" Xander straightened up and surveyed the party.

Eyes searching for Kim and Jack, I didn't expect Xander to turn back to me once again to say; "And by the way—you should stop being so sweet.

It's hard for me."

I blinked at the playful smirk that he threw in my direction before disappearing amongst the crowd.

Um...what?

I shook the confusion out of my head tentatively, turning to slip away when I saw Xander's friends welcome him with drinks and quick introductions.

Albeit hesitantly, of course.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I realized that the sand beneath my feet trembled ever so slightly as I passed carefully beside the crowded floor, trying my best not to get near any of the happy dancing teenagers. The music was so loud that I could barely hear anything else—but figuring that it would be rude to cover my ears when everyone was enjoying themselves, I tried my best to accommodate.

It simply felt as if I wasn't anywhere on Earth; but just...somewhere really far away.

Perhaps it was due to my first experience at a party that the people my age usually attend (A/N: Nope Chip, I don't. Ever.), but I wasn't really myself. Although it was a foreign feeling—I had the hopes that maybe it wouldn't be that bad after all.

Spotting Jack by the open-concept bar opposite the erratic dance floor, I quickly made my way towards him—feeling slightly relieved. I slipped past minimally clad girls and some guys; apologizing above the strong house music when I bumped into them accidentally.

"Jack!" I called breathlessly, but he couldn't seem to hear me.

As I neared my best friend, I saw that he had a glass of blue liquid in his right hand, while he leaned over the bar counter in a rather solitary manner.

"Jack! Where's Kim?"

His green eyes shifted lazily to meet mine, as though unbothered. "Over there with some idiots, probably flirting." He downed a good half of the crystal blue liquid in his glass.

"Eh? Jack...? What happened?"

Jack's head lowered and his now-long bangs covered his eyes. "Dunno."

"Did you and Kim get into a fight again—"

"Hey!" A cheerful voice sounded over the blaring music, causing Jack and I to turn towards the source of the voice.

"Chip, you enjoying yourself?" Ace asked promptly, sidling over with a glass of clear liquid in his hand.

"H-Hi Ace...um, this is my best friend, Jack..." I said, voice barely making it over the volume of the house mix.

"Yo—" Ace held out his fist for a bump but Jack simply stared.

I felt extremely sorry for Ace because he's not a bad person, but everyone's been treating him like an enemy today. The look in his eyes told me that he was really lonely, and he didn't feel like he belonged.

I desperately wanted to change that—but I knew that there was only one person Ace longed for.

.

"Hey. Ace right?" Jack finally responded lamely.

But our companion's face lit up as if he had found a fifty-dollar bill on the ground.

"Yeah! So urm...Jack...you know how to do a fist bump?" Ace started slowly.

I watched as Ace and Jack started warming up to each other, and then realized that Ace was a pretty good converser.

Unlike me.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I told Jack and Ace that I was going over to the food table to maybe get a free fruit punch or something small to eat and left rather abruptly.

It wasn't that I felt left out...or anything, but Ace and Jack had quite a lot in common. They looked like they were having fun while chatting—Jack actually didn't look like he was forcing up his words.

Ears numb from the music, I made my way tentatively to the food table and was surprised to see loads of barbequed food and mini-desserts such as chocolate éclairs and cream puffs.

I bit into an éclair, feeling a smile coming along as I realized how much I missed making them.

"Chip?" I blinked, wondering whether it was simply my imagination that I heard someone call my name. "Chip? You there...?"

Fingers snapped an inch away from my face and I jumped, startled. "Oh! Um, I'm sorry—" I called over the loud music as I raised my gaze to meet the one that gained my attention.

"Blake?"

"Hey, Xander told me to look out for you—weird if you ask me. He's never been like that at parties," The captain frowned with a shrug, "Let's go in? I can make you a drink. You shouldn't take anything from others though." Blake jerked his thumb towards the beach house lazily.

My lips parted in embarrassment. "X-Xander said that...? Um, I'm so sorry! It must be a real trouble...ah...I'm so sorry..."

"What?" Blake blinked, "Sorry, your voice is kinda soft. I can't really hear you—can we go in first?"

I huffed, puffing out my cheeks but nodding all the same. Unn...it's so loud here.

Xander's friend led me into a large beach house near the outdoor party—and here I was thinking that it would be less chaotic. Uwa...I was wrong.

Trying my best to follow Blake without getting lost whilst avoiding teenagers in a drunken stupor, I couldn't help but shrink involuntarily from the strange atmosphere of this foreign place. The stench of liquor and sweat was...um, in simple words unappealing, and I began to wonder what the purpose of parties were for.

I-I mean a pajama party sounds amazing by itself.

It doesn't have to involve alcohol, right?

"Take a seat," Blake gestured to one of the unoccupied high chairs in front of an expensive looking bar. "I'll make something for you."

"Oh! Y-You...you're a bartender?" I asked curiously, propping myself up on the high chair with slight difficulty.

"Aspiring. Er—I'm not that good though," Blake admitted as he pulled out some strange silver-looking cups and poured stuff and ice into it. "I'll be making you a mojito. It's kinda minty. Hope you like those kind of stuff."

I smiled, entertained by the fluid actions of his. "Oh! I...I um, I like peppermint. But um—I've...I've never had any alcohol before so I was wondering if—"

"No worries. Got you covered. It's only a tiny bit—a drop if I exaggerate," The volleyball captain laughed as he shook the...the shaky thingy in a cool manner, "Mostly sparkling water."

"Thank you!"

I glanced around.

"Um—uh...w-where's Xander...?" I asked tentatively, eyes searching before I even caught myself doing so. Heat brushed my cheeks as I turned back to Blake quickly; hoping that he did not catch me looking around for someone I met just a couple of minutes ago.

"...Er, he normally has girls all over him at parties. I don't see him anywhere though...probably in a room...?" Blake said offhandedly, pouring the contents of the silver cups into a tall glass and inserting a straw.

I paused, feeling my heart sink just a little.

Ah, I didn't expect it to hurt that much.

"Shit—ah, that's not what I meant. He's...probably playing some drinking games with the rest of the team upstairs. He wins every time so I didn't bother playing," Blake shrugged with a sigh. I laughed, feeling slightly relieved—but still, bothered.

Just a little.

Thanking Blake for the drink once again, I took a sip from the straw in a cautious attempt to identify the taste.

Uwa, it's bitter like I expected it to be—but...

The peppermint is really refreshing. And I like the fizz...it's kinda like Sprite.

You know, the soda!

"Hey. I've never seen you around before," Something tapped me on the shoulder, and I responded with a jump.

"Uh!" Voice stuck in my throat, I noticed that someone had filled the empty seat beside me—and he reeked of alcohol. "Um...hi."

"Your name is hi?" The guy laughed, leaning closer. I blinked, leaning backwards slightly. Glancing towards Blake's direction, I saw that he was occupied with another person at the bar.

I gulped. "K-Kind of."

"So cuute!" The guy practically giggled, burping after that. "Hi, hi. You should drink more. Get you a Vodka?"

"Haha," I pretended to laugh without answering his question, trying to get off the high chair, "I, um...I gotta go—"

"Aw! Don't go yet—"

"Aurgh!"

All of a sudden, the teenager lurched forward with a groan; spilling contents of his stomach all over the bar and the floor.

I jumped back in shock, scrambling away as far as possible.

Heads turned; people gasped; Blake's face was literally in pieces as all he noticed were his shakers covered in the disgusting fluid from the guy's stomach.

I-Is this...what happens at every other party?

It's far from enjoyable!

I felt sick.

I never want to go to one ever again...

The teenager who had been talking to me just moments ago had his gaze fixed on me for a good few seconds before sauntering over. "Hey, come back—"

I backed away, turning for the stairs—

Just as I heard another groan and more sounds of stomach acids spilling onto the floor.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Darting up the stairs immediately, I failed to hear a certain voice calling my name amongst the commotion and the heavy bass that pumped throughout the beach house. Occupied with the frightening thought of being cornered or forced to do something, desperation to escape the crowd brought me to the third or fourth floor of the house.

I breathed heavily, center of balance slightly thrown.

What's wrong? W-Why am I so scared?

"Chip!" Someone had tailed me up the stairs, and my head snapped in the direction of the footsteps and call.

"X-Xander...? I—I thought you were with your teammates," My gaze rose quickly to meet his before it darted behind him to check whether anyone else had decided to get away from the chaos.

He sighed, closing the distance. "I caught you running up the stairs. You looked pale—I was worried, so I excused myself."

I looked into his eyes—

A familiar grey.

And that was when I knew,

That everything would be fine.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"You okay?" Xander asked, shutting the door behind him with a tempered slam and a quick curse.

I panted softly; out of breath but nodding vaguely as my ears started to become numb from the shouts and music from below. There seemed to be a fight going on.

"Mm...hm. Just a little, ha, breathless."

Feeling slightly dizzy, I leaned against the wall for support—sliding down to rest my head against my knees.

Xander crossed the room to my side, footsteps quick but relatively heavy. "Do you need anything? Water?"

I turned my head to the side, peering at the expression on his face. Brows furrowed; eyes concerned.

S-So close!

Feeling the usual heat rise to my cheeks and brush the tips of my ears, I retreated back into my knees, shaking my head quickly. "I'm fine, r-really."

"I can tell you're not," His voice sounded lower than usual, just beside my ear. "Let's take a break from the crowd. You need some rest."

Xander reached over to rub my back in a soothing manner—and I could not help but feel the exact opposite. Heart racing at his touch, I tried to assure him that I was fine by composing my erratic breathing.

As I was distracted by the task of keeping a straight and focused mind, I was suddenly lifted by a pair of strong arms—onto the loveseat at the corner of the room.

"U-Uwaa—Xander! Your hand...you shouldn't—"

"I'm fine. Using my arm to support you instead of my hand."

"Here. Rest properly," Xander ordered, setting me down carefully before taking a seat on my right. "You look a little pale...not good with crowds huh?" He laughed lowly, leaning in to plant a kiss on my forehead.

Eyes widening; cheeks heating; I scrambled to the edge of the seat—feeling positively strange. "I don't go to parties...s-so..."

"This is your first?"

"Un," I made a sound of quiet acknowledgement, taking in muted music through the walls and the slight tremor of bass throughout the beach house. "Does...does everyone really drink that much?"

Xander laughed once again, playing with my hair.

"Yeah."

"How?" I asked, unable to comprehend. "It tastes bad. And it makes your heart go crazy. I-I only took a sip and I can already feel my heart pounding in my ears."

"That bad?" He raised a brow, caressing the side of my cheek while my heart seemed to race faster. "Your face doesn't show it though—kinda pale."

The room, despite being slightly larger than my own back at home, felt strangely hot. I shifted in my seat, hoping that Xander wouldn't notice the tension in my shoulders. "O-Oh, that's um...that's probably because the alcohol was mixed with sparkling water and some lime. I think there's peppermint in it too. I...I'm not sure what it's called but—"

"A cocktail?" Xander helped, a hint of a smirk at the corner of his lips. "Mojito to be exact. I told Blake to lay down on the alcohol content for you."

"Oh! Yes, that." I nodded quickly, then feeling slightly embarrassed and guilty that Xander had been looking out for me the entire time. "A-Ah—thank you so much...sorry for the trouble..."

The tall figure laughed, leaning down to nuzzle against my (probably red) cheek. "Mm? It's no trouble at all."

N-No trouble at all...?

That sounds strangely familiar.

Mm...? I wonder where I heard that before—

Just then, there was a heavy slam from the adjacent room—heard through the thin walls of the beach house and startling my poor heart.

"W-Wha...what was that?" Bang; the sound of a door slamming shut.

Xander didn't reply. His shoulders were tensed, expression a frown as if he was on alert.

The floor shook slightly at the next slam, as if someone was being shoved against the wall in a forceful manner. There was a faint, slightly muted sound that could be heard through the wall—

"Oh!"

I blinked.

It was a feminine voice.

Turning to Xander with a puzzled expression, I noticed that he was rolling his eyes.

Before I could ask him why, more of such similar sounds were heard through the wall behind the loveseat—interrupting my trail of thought.

At first, I couldn't really tell what was happening and there was an awkward silence in the room in contrast to the adjacent one; making me really uncomfortable.

"Um...I think—"

"Mm...! There—"

Eh?

Um...what...?

"Just...a little...more—"

The thought surfaced; yet, unregistered.

Then...it began to sink into my head.

E-EEEEHHH??

O-Oh gosh this really, really isn't good for the heart!

What are they—why are they even—

"Oh—Zac!"

Oh no oh nuu this is so awkward, Xander is beside me!

I need to talk—really loud so that it would drown out their voices and Xander wouldn't notice—

"Ah! Aah—ah! Mm!"

G-Gosh! That was so loud!

I jumped, bracing myself as my gaze darted towards the expression of the tall figure beside—anxious to see his reaction.

In stark contrast to my burning cheeks and fidgety posture, Xander was completely calm and indifferent; as if saying that this was completely normal.

Upon sensing my gaze on him, he turned to me with a raised brow.

I averted my gaze immediately—strangely embarrassed and very, very uncomfortable with the continued sounds in the background. "I, um...this is..."

My slippers rubbed against each other in a nervous manner, perfectly awkward in the current atmosphere.

The prolonged sounds of pleasure increased in volume and I could almost pinpoint where exactly the girl was in the next room even though there was a wall between us. She began to say the weirdest things that sounded so embarrassing—

"Deeper! Faster—there!"

H-How could anyone possibly say that?? It's so embarrassing I think I might die from second-hand embarrassment! Oh Lord.

Just then, Xander snapped; producing an irritated click of his tongue before slamming his (good) fist against the thin wall.

The room shook—

Then, it was quiet.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[Xander]

"Oh!"

I rolled my eyes.

Keep your fucking volume down..

"Mm...! There—"

I leaned back against the seat, mild irritation scratching at my chest. I closed my eyes in attempt to block out the irksome duo next door.

"Oh—Zac!"

"Ah! Aah—ah! Mm!"

Inconsiderate assholes. I sighed, giving up on trying to shut them out and decided to turn to Chip for some entertainment instead.

Little did I know—he was much more entertaining than I expected him to be.

Observing him with a sideway glance, I noticed the cute blush hinted on his cheeks and the tips of his ears; the occasional fidget in his seat; the shy shuffling of his feet against each other; the fumbling of his fingers—and his lowered gaze.

A lowered gaze meant that his ridiculously long and full lashes were in view; and I had to make an effort to compose myself.

Xander, Chip is not the slut next door. Calm the fuck down—you'll freak him out.

Propping my elbow up against the armrest, I leaned into my hand with a bored expression—in attempt to calm my growing hard-on that couldn't resist the idea of my angel underneath me.

Then I realized that Chip was looking at me.

Raising an amused brow, I turned to him—feeling a hint of a smirk at the corner of my lips at the thought of him being curious.

As adorable as he was, his gaze darted away immediately in a shy manner, as if he was caught red-handed. His blush darkened.

I was about to tease him when the girl's moans reached a climax all of a sudden—volume turning up a notch and testing my patience.

"Oh! Deeper! Faster—there!"

For fuck's sake could you guys just shut up already? You're scaring Chip!

My hand acted on impulse, curling into a fist and slamming against the wall as a warning.

The moans and heavy breathing ceased immediately; along with the occasional rough indication against the wall.

I sighed, wondering if they were just really dumb or amateur. As I leaned back against the loveseat—satisfied with the good silence—I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.

It was a subtle movement; but I saw my angel's hands move to cover the area between his legs.

Then, blushing harder, he changed his mind—pulling his knees up to his chest so that he was curled into a ball.

His gaze met mine for a second, then flitted away quickly in a shy manner with an erotic blush in tow.

Oh.

Wait—he's hard?

I paused, not wanting to jump to conclusions. Shifting my gaze without turning, I watched my angel fidget uncomfortably in his seat before stammering. "U-Um...phew, it's um, i-it's quiet now."

He was nervous as hell; and I could tell that all he wanted to do now was to hide under a rock. I couldn't help but smirk—feeling the urge to tease him and yet thought that it would be bad of me to take advantage of the situation.

Just from that?

Haha, what an innocent reaction.

—Or maybe he's just sensitive.

I kinda like that.

"You okay?" I asked, trying my best to hide the smirk that threatened to surface. "You don't look so good."

"O-Oh! I'm, um...I'm fine," Chip's eyes couldn't seem to meet mine as his knees drew closer to his chest in a protective manner. "Just...just a little uncomfortable."

"I can help you with that," I shrugged, lowering my gaze to indicate my intentions—before meeting his eyes once again.

A longing hunger rose in my chest; and the adorable, puzzled expression on my angel's face stirred something further within me.

"U-Um...help? I don't—"

(A/N: Heeereeeee it comes! >_ hehe.

-Cuppiecake.

Sorry for the long chapter! And I hope you enjoyed it.